The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 108
A portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo D. Allen appears in this publication.
LORENZO D. ALLEN.
Lorenzo D. Allen not only has valuable farming interests near Granger which
require his constant attention but he has also served as supervisor of drainage
district No. 27 since it was organized. A native of Marion county, Iowa, he was
born July 19, 1871, and is a son of L. D. and Eliza (Mills) Allen, the former a
native of Wales and the latter of Williams county, Ohio. When quite a young man
the father arrived in New York but did not long remain in the eastern
metropolis, removing to Iowa, of which state he became a pioneer farmer. There
he devoted his efforts to agricultural pursuits until death claimed him. His
wife passed away in Minnesota.
Lorenzo D. Allen was reared in Marion county, Iowa, early becoming acquainted
with agricultural labors and methods, and in the acquirement of his education he
attended the schools near his father's farm. He remained at home until he was
twenty-seven years of age, largely operating the farm, but at that time started
out for himself as his mother had died. His enterprising spirit is evident from
the fact that from the early age of seventeen he had been buying land, but he
always made his home with his mother, his father having died when he was only
twelve years of age. In the meantime the family had removed to Morrison county,
Minnesota, where Mr. Allen of this review became a successful farmer. Having
heard many favorable reports in regard to the advantages which awaited one in
the Yakima valley, he in 1902 decided to make the change and came to Yakima
county, where he at first rented land for five years. He then was enabled to
acquire title to forty acres of raw land, which was covered with sagebrush and
located a mile north of Granger. From this wild tract he has developed a fine
ranch which now yields him a comfortable annual income. In 1906 he built a fine
brick residence, the first in his part of the county, which has since remained
the family home. He has ever used progressive methods and new ideas in raising
his produce, which largely consists of hay and corn, and he also operates a
dairy and thus augments his income. He has specialized in corn for the last
sixteen years, developing "Allen's Pride," which is in great demand throughout
the valley, and he has sold nine tons for seed.
On the 17th of June, 1898, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Mary Backosky, a
native of Wisconsin, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vensel Backosky, who
removed to Minnesota in the '90s. To this union were born five children:
George, Eva, Hazel, Mary and Henry.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen are highly respected in their neighborhood and they have many
friends in and near Granger. In his political affiliation Mr. Allen is a
republican and the confidence and trust reposed in him by the public have found
expression in his election to the position of supervisor of drainage district
No. 27, in which official position he has served since the district was
organized. There is g-eat credit due him for what he has achieved in life, as he
began his business career empty-handed and is now numbered among the prosperous
agriculturists of Yakima county.
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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.